TALLAHASSEE - Pick a Florida State defensive player, Travis Johnson, Ernie Sims, Jerome Carter, A.J. Nicholson, or, well almost anyone these days, and you'll notice something different about his helmet.
It's being covered by tomahawk stickers.
Like the good ol' days.
Defensive players earn a certain number of points for every big play (tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, etc.), and after subtracting points for miscues (missed tackles, penalties, missed assignments), the total is converted into the stickers.
More stickers mean opponents are getting stuck.
Like the good ol' days.
"Our kids are determined to be a good defense," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "Don't get me wrong. We haven't arrived yet."
The Seminoles are second nationally against the run (68.7 yards), eighth in total defense (265.7 yards) and ninth in scoring defense (13.4 points). The latter stat, the most important, is a bit misleading.
Clemson scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns and Wake Forest scored two touchdowns on an interception and fumble return. That's 28 of the 94 points allowed. Take those out and FSU's scoring defense average is 9.3.
"Right now, they might be playing as good as any of them," coach Bobby Bowden said, referring to the staunch defenses that the Seminoles were renowned for in the late 1980s and the 1990s.
A key is the quality depth at nearly every position. Tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the former Chamberlain High star, and end Eric Moore went out with sprained left ankles. No problem. Sophomore Clifton Dixon and freshman Andre Fluellen step in at tackle, junior Kamerion Wimbley at end.
"In the summer, we all dedicated ourselves," said Dixon, who has started the past two games and had five tackles against Wake Forest last weekend. "We said we were going to hold each other accountable and we're going to be accountable to each other."
And pick up those stickers.
WAVING THE FLAG: As you could imagine, FSU's 11 penalties for 81 yards didn't sit well with Bowden. Four came in the opening few minutes (an intentional grounding, an interference on a punt, a defensive offsides and an offensive false start).
"It was just ridiculous," Bowden said.
His Seminoles are last in the ACC in penalties, averaging 82.6 yards a game.
BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS: Star soccer forward Leah Gallegos, who injured her right knee five weeks ago, has not responded to treatment and will have season-ending surgery, coach Patrick Baker said.
"That's the only option we have," he said.
Gallegos, a preseason candidate for the Herman Trophy as the nation's top player, missed the last seven games, but is still the team's fourth-leading scorer with three goals and four assists.
The good news, however, is that FSU (12-4-1), ranked No. 14 by SoccerBuzz magazine, has continued to find a way to win without her and an ever-changing lineup. It's 5-1-1 in those games and can set a program record for wins if it closes out the regular season by beating visiting Central Florida today.
"It's a tribute to the players to juggle as much as we have been because of injuries and illnesses," Baker said. "That, potentially, could be a benefit for us because so many players have had the opportunity to play in a lot of big games."
RUNNING FOR A TITLE: The men's cross country team is pointing toward the nationals, but along the path, it would be nice to pick up an ACC championship on Saturday at College Park, Md. For the first time in program history it has a realistic shot.
FSU, ranked No. 11 by the U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association, beat No. 16 North Carolina State in the Pre-National meet for the first time since joining the ACC in 1992. N.C. State has won eight of the last nine league titles.
"Everyone's jelling really well," said top runner Andrew Lemoncello. "We're still keying toward nationals (Nov. 22). This is a stepping stone, but if we win, it would be great."
- Times staff writer Brian Landman covers Florida State. Reach him at 813 281-3347 or landman@sptimes.com
